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Assault case against youth center head dismissed by judge

HYDE SQ.—A judge dismissed a case of child assault against the former Hennigan Community Center program director in September after the alleged victim and witnesses failed to show up in court, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.

Robert L. Platt, a longtime Jamaica Plain activist who headed the city community center at 200 Heath St., was charged last year with allegedly setting up a playground fight between his daughter and a 13-year-old girl. Platt also allegedly hit the girl himself.

The judge dismissed the case on Sept. 8 “without prejudice,” meaning that prosecutors can attempt to hold another trial in the future, according to DA’s Office spokesperson Erika Gully-Santiago.

Platt spoke to the Gazette about the case in late September, but declined to go on the record at that time, and did not return a phone call for this article. His attorney, Frank Mickelson, also did not return a phone call.

Platt no longer works at the community center, according to Boston Centers for Youth & Families, the city agency in charge of it.

“I can’t really comment about this personnel matter other than to say that Bobby [Platt] no longer is employed by BCYF,” said spokesperson Sandy Holden in an email.